Breeding for resistance to panicle pests of sorghum and pearl millet

Host plant resistance (HPR), as a component of integrated pest management, has been employed for few of the many insects recorded as pests of the panicles of sorghum {Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] and even fewer for pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.B]. This paper reviews global HPR breeding programs for sorghum midge [Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett)], earhead bug [Calocoris angustatus Lethierry), ,African sorghum head bug.[Eurystylus oldi (Poppius)], corn earnow[Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]. and millet head miner [He liocheilus albipunctella (de Joannis)]. Major progress has been made in combining enhanced levels of HPR to sorghum midge with local adaptation in the breeding programs at ICRISAT Asia Center and Texas A&M University and in Austratia. On-farm adoption of this developed technology has occurred rapidly and at a high level in Australia. Breeding for HPR to other insects has attracted less effort. HPR research for earhead bugs in lndia and African sorghum head bugs in West Africa has progressed to the point that cultivars with resistance to these pests soon will be available to farmers. The open panicle type is routinely selected in breeding programs in regions where corn earworm is a pest. Breeding programs for HPR to millet head miner need further development.